Where Our Patients Become Family

The Aging Mouth

Posted June 6, 2017.

Aging teeth are even more susceptible to decay, so it’s very important to keep your teeth strong and healthy as you continue to age. This starts with a healthy, daily regimen for you and your teeth, including brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist biannually. Here at Stanford Dental, we want to help you give you a long-lasting smile in the years to come.

There are many different variables to protect your aging teeth, including decay around older fillings and the gums. These tend to cause root cavities. These can be protected by fluoride in your toothpaste, mouthwash, and even the water you drink. They add safe and protective amounts of fluoride in local water systems to help communities fight against decay.

Dry mouth is another tendency in aging teeth, typically a side effect of certain medications or radiation therapies used on the head or neck. Other ways to get dry mouth is breathing through the mouth or your saliva glands not working properly. Take precautions by eating the right foods, drinking lots of fluids, and talking to your dentist about which oral care products are right for you.

Periodontal diseases (gum diseases) can be treated here in Dr. James Stanford’s office here in Ballwin, Missouri. These can damage the jaw and gums, leading to tooth loss, loose teeth, or cause gums to recede. Poor oral hygiene, the use of tobacco, poor choices of diet, and other medical conditions can potentially lead to disease, so it’s important to keep healthy dental habits from a young age.

It’s not too late to get the perfect smile, so give Stanford Dental a call at 636-256-3559. Our dental professionals will be happy to work with you whether it’s replacing a missing tooth, treating your gums, or just a regular checkup. Visit us today at our office in Ballwin, Missouri!